How to Become a Makeup Artist

A makeup artist is someone who knows about beauty trends and experimenting with different makeup looks depending on the gig.

You can start your journey by improving your abilities and skills through online tutorials and practicing on friends and family to create a career in makeup artistry.

Consider enrolling for formal training at a college or having a job for professional experience at a makeup counter. Either way, a robust network and portfolio will be necessary in order to kick-start your makeup career.

How to Become a Makeup Artist 1
Start practicing your skills in makeup and get a career in the beauty industry. Photo credits to: https://hk.asiatatler.com/style/top-8-makeup-artists-in-hong-kong-for-the-hktatlerball2017.

What Is a Makeup Artist?

A makeup artist is a professional with creative abilities who specializes in the use of cosmetic materials to improve models’ beauty and physical characteristics. He or she may alter a client’s appearance radically whenever necessary for a particular production.

Applying makeup to change or exalt the look of actors, models, performers, and customers are a few of the different responsibilities for this job.

This job actually has a lot of advantages and perks. A few of these include meeting new people and clients, traveling, and getting to practice your creativity.

Types of Makeup Artist Jobs

Every artist will have their own specialty, just like visual artists might have. However, in the beauty industry, there are a lot of options for those who desire to achieve this job because the field is broad, and the industry is high-paying. Here are the most common jobs in this profession.

Celebrity Makeup Artist

Celebrities pay a lot when it comes to makeup. Being a celebrity artist of makeup gives you the chance to have a high-paying job. Also, you can meet celebrities and travel with them.

Theatrical / Performance Makeup Artist

This career within the theater industry is a high-stress, high-skill task job. This type of assignment needs someone who knows various areas in this position. Performance arts cosmetics are distinct from your typical portrayal of beauty. Sometimes, they are required to exaggerate the characteristics of the actor to create the personality and make it look more realistic while on stage.

Freelance Makeup Artist

A freelance makeup artist is someone who can do makeup in all types of celebrations – birthdays, debuts, anniversaries, or formal dinners. Clients can book a freelance artist for these types of parties.

Makeup Artist Average Pay

According to Neuvoo, a job searching app, makeup artist jobs typically have an average wage of $79,521 per year or $41 per hour. That is about 2.4 times more than the country’s median salary in the United States. Positions at the entrance stage in the industry begin at $56,000. 

Where to Apply to Jobs as a Makeup Artist

Fortunately, large makeup companies hire beauty and makeup experts. Here are some companies and websites where you can apply as a makeup artist.

  • Mac CosmeticsMac Cosmetics is one of the world’s biggest makeup companies.
  • The Estée Lauder Companies The Estée Lauder Companies are in a group of cosmetics companies based in New York. You can apply to this company through SimplyHired.
  • IndeedIndeed is a job searching app where you can search for jobs around the world.

How to Apply to Jobs as a Makeup Artist

Applicants must possess an inherent talent for cosmetics and a powerful sense of style and fashion to start this career. Concerning education, you can pursue a career in this industry by finishing a specific training course or program at an accredited vocational school or college. Usually, it takes 1 to 3 years to complete these classes.

Nowadays, makeup artists rely on social media to get a job. Most artists post their makeup portfolios on Facebook and Instagram to get bookings. Moreover, most makeup artists film tutorials to get appointments.

However, if you are applying for a day job or a regular job, you need to comply with the company’s standards. You need to have the following required skills.

  • Strong knowledge of makeup products and trends
  • Creativity and strong artistic skills
  • Interpersonal and communication skills
  • Resourcefulness
  • Organizational and time management skills

It is best to prepare your portfolio when applying for a job. Put in the best works of your career.

Conclusion

When applying as a makeup artist, you need to love makeup first. Being a makeup artist gives you a lot of opportunities to explore the makeup industry and pursue your love for makeup, meeting new people, traveling, and enhancing beauty depending on the type of job you’ve landed.

Today, being a makeup artist has many perks. Begin your career and get a glimpse of the world of beauty and fashion.

Also read – 6 Jobs For Fashion Lovers